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Bratwurst and Red Cabbage

Smoky sauteed vegetables are combined with sweet and sour red cabbage to make the perfect partner to juicy, flavorful beer-soaked bratwurst!

When Johnsonville reached out to me about doing a post to celebrate National Bratwurst Day, I was here for it because 1) I freaking love bratwurst and 2) I’ve been longing for fall for a while now and (as you may have read in my last post) it’s full speed ahead on the autumn train for me.

Choo choo, fall – I’m coming for you.

Here’s the deal: it’s not just that I want to help celebrate National Bratwurst Day on August 16th (although you guys know I’m totally down with any holiday that revolves around food). I also want to help spread the word that Johnsonville is kicking off the celebration in a unique way. They’re encouraging everyone in the Boston area to enjoy the tail end of summer by grilling up a new flavor (or an old favorite flavor) of brat, while also supporting your local food bank! All you have to do is purchase a package of Johnsonville brats at your local Stop & Shop and they’ll donate $0.25 for each package sold between August 11th-18th to a local food charity. How great is that? Check out their full list of flavors and pick a few that strike your fancy.

Let’s kick it up a notch – why not purchase a whole bunch of Johnsonville brat packages and host a #Bratsgiving celebration with your family and friends? Maybe you’re looking for an excuse to show off your sweet grilling skills. Maybe you bought a new house and need a reason to break in your new, fabulous backyard. Or maybe you’re like me and you just freaking love brats and any excuse to eat them! I’m not saying you have to share them, but it would probably be a good idea… you know, if you want to continue to have those family and friends you love so dearly.

As for me, I like to stick with the stove. The grill and I don’t get along super well – it produces a whole lot of heat and invariably the winds shift when I’m grilling and all that heat ends up in my face. I do make exceptions, but since I live in a pretty windy area, I tend to stay inside with my food-related activities. That’s why I thought now is as good a time as ever to whip up a couple of my favorite foods and turn them into the perfect dinner: bratwurst and red cabbage.

Now I know that many people have very strong opinions when it comes to their red cabbage. Some people think it should always have bacon in it unless you hate happiness, others think it should never be cooked and only served in a cold slaw form, and there are people who believe if it hasn’t been pickled for months that you’ve lost your mind. If you are any of those people… just hear me out.

We’re going to mix it up with water, vinegar and sugar and let it simmer for half an hour. That’s it. The thicker pieces will still have a slight crunch (one of my favorite parts about it), but the rest is going to be perfectly tender with a delightful combination of sweet and sour flavors. And the color? Well, just look at it. It’s gorgeous.

While the German in me is obsessed with the red cabbage, the real star of the show here is the bratwurst. We’re going to let them simmer in a beer broth for ten minutes, and then brown them – it gives them the most perfect texture. They’re juicy and flavorful, and pair beautifully with the sauteed onions and peppers that are seasoned with a combination of spices including smoked paprika. If you don’t have any, you haveto get some. Plain ole’ paprika won’t do. Smoked paprika gives this dish a wonderful smoky flavor with a respectable kick of heat.

I don’t want to tell you how to eat your own food, but let me make a recommendation:

Place your colorful combination of veggies on the plate, and carefully nestle the bratwurst on top.

Slice your bratwurst as you go, ensuring that each bite will be warm and juicy. Eat each bite with a forkful of veggies, and lose yourself in this amazing flavor combination.

I promise, the process will be worth it.

Now get to the store between August 11th-18th, purchase your Johnsonville brats knowing that you’re helping give back to the community, and throw a fabulous #Bratsgiving party of your own! Don’t forget to use the hashtag #Bratsgiving and tag me if you make this dish. I’ll be the one over here making googly eyes at your pictures, accompanied by a slow clap.

After cabbage has cooked for about 10 minutes, start cooking the sausages. In a high sided saute pan, add brats and beer. Add just enough water to help cover the brats.

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and let simmer for 10 minutes.

Drain the liquid, then add a drizzle of oil to the pan and turn the heat up to medium. Brown the brats on all sides until their internal temperature is 165°F, then turn off the heat and remove them from the pan. Place them on a plate, covered with aluminum foil to keep them warm.

Return heat to medium and add another drizzle of oil to the pan. Once hot, add onions and saute for 3 minutes until they start to soften.

Add bell peppers and cook for another few minutes until both onions and pepper are softened. Add garlic, oregano, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes and cumin, and cook another 30 seconds, until fragrant. Salt and pepper to taste.

Add prepared cabbage to pan (sans liquid) and carefully stir to combine. Add sausages back to the pan, cover, and heat until sausages are warmed. Serve and enjoy!